COVID-19: Rangers FC supporters club tasks LMC on 2019/2020 league

Rangers International Football Supporters Club has urged the League Management Company (LMC) to ensure the completion of 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) immediately after coronaviruspandemic to determine the real winner.

Ibuchukwu Nwodo the chairman of the club said this while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu on Saturday. Nwodo said that it would be unfair to end the league midway. The league was suspended on March 18, due to COVID-19. He said that the circumstance which led to the league suspension was not what somebody should take advantage of. ” I do not buy the idea of ending Nigerian league with Plateau United FC as the champions. ” Hearing the general manager of Plateau United asking the League Management Company (LMC) to declare them champions after playing 25 matches when other clubs played below 25 matches proved that they are not fit to be the real champion. ” Plateau United was among the few clubs that have played 25 matches out of 38 matches with 13 remaining, while some clubs played 21, 23 and 24 matches as the case may be. ”Thirteen to 17 outstanding matches per club are much to be swept under the carpet, ” he said. Nwodo urged the LMC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to consult FIFA on the issue. ” FIFA has been working out modalities on how to fast track the league globally after the coronaviruspandemic. ” The modalities includes having three breaks in a match and five changes in a match, is enough to play three matches in a week,” he said. He said that the LMC and NFF would not be fair to Rangers FC if they declare Plateau United winners of the league. ” We lost our prolific striker Ifeanyi George to a fatal accident while traveling home after NPFL announced suspension of our league.

” Had it been that the league was on, Rangers management will not give them the break and he would he will not have thought of travelling. ” It is better to finish the league to determine the true champions so that we can save our face at the continental contest come next season, ” Nwodo said.

Clubs in the season 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the leadership of the competition’s organisers, League Management Company (LMC), on Thursday evening met through digital video conferencing.

According to a report on the LMC website, the meeting afforded them the opportunity to assess varying options to concluding the suspended 2019/2020 season.

The meeting came on the heels of the LMC Board of Directors meeting held earlier in the day via same digital media.

All the clubs were reported to have offered a commitment to be part of any decision reached to conclude the NPFL season.

This will be whenever federal authorities advise for the opening of the country for business and other engagements including resumption of sports activities.

“It was unanimously agreed that we will continue to liaise with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development on the possibilities that will work for us and taking into consideration decisions that may be reached by CAF and FIFA with regards to international tournaments, calendar and regulations etc.

“So, any option and/or format that may be chosen will also consider the available time frame within this framework,” the report quoted LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko as explaining.

It said the meeting also agreed that should there be any exceptional support to NPFL, the privately-funded clubs in the NPFL would get priority attention in the distribution.

“The clubs also affirmed their commitment to paying salaries and wages of their players and officials during the period and have no intention of cutting down salaries and wages of players under the current circumstances.

“They are even thinking of how to keep supporting their players within this difficult period in line with the objectives of their various owners.’’

Also, on the clubs’ personnel , the report indicated that it was also resolved that whenever the league would resume, all the players, coaches and backroom staff are to be tested for COVID 19.

This is among other strategies to be adopted to guarantee the well-being and health of everyone involved with the NPFL.

“In this regard, the LMC will liaise with the Minister of Sports to facilitate this objective.’’

The report added that the LMC was encouraged to continue liaising with sponsors and potential sponsors towards expanding the league’s revenue as envisaged.

The meeting agreed to keep motoring the situation as it unfolds as regards COVID-19 and to keep the conversation open accordingly. OLAL

LMC condoles with Rangers FC on Ifeanyi George’s death

Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko has expressed shock at the accident involving players of Rangers International on Sunday morning killing one.

Nigeria News Agency reports that the accident led to the death of the Enugu-based clubside’s striker and CHAN Eagles International, Ifeanyi George.

A statement by the LMC said Dikko, who contacted the club on getting the report of the accident, commiserated with the Club Management, team members and Rangers fans as well as the player’s immediate family.

“We sympathise with the club at this trying time and pray for the repose of his soul and wish the injured ones a speedy recovery,” the LMC Chairman was quoted as telling the club’s team manager, Amobi Ezeaku, and coach Salisu Yusuf on phone.

He urged all Nigeria Football Professional League (NPFL) stakeholders to take all necessary precaution to stay safe amidst the growing Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“It is instructive that we should as much as is possible limit our movements, restrict social contacts and adhere to health protocols set out by relevant global, national and state agencies for the containment of COVID-19,” Dikko appealed.

George, according to the Rangers Media Officer, Mr Forster Chime, died on the spot after the vehicle he was traveling in with a team mate ran into a stationery articulated vehicle on Agbor-Benin road.

The player was said to be returning to Lagos to spend the break announced by the club following the suspension of NPFL matches.

The LMC said it was in contact with the club as it awaited further details about the incident.

COVID-19: Maikaba commends LMC over suspension of NPFL matches

The Head Coach of Plateau United FC of Jos, Abdu Maikaba, has commended the League Management Company (LMC) for suspending the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches due to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Maikaba made the commendation in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency on Thursday in Jos.

The safety of players and match officials during matches is key, he said while reacting to the announcement by the LMC on Wednesday suspending the league for four weeks.

The management of Plateau United Football Club of Jos, the Plateau State Football Association (PFA) leadership and other stakeholders on Friday in Jos held a crucial meeting.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that they all met over the directive by both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) on medical facilities.

NAN reports that NFF and LMC had directed that henceforth no Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match should be played without the full presence of medical personnel and availability of facilities.

The directive was in the wake of the demise of Chineme Martins, the 23-year-old defender of Nasarawa United FC of Lafia, who slumped and died during their week 23 fixture.

The club’s match was played at home at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday and against Katsina United, with the hosts winning 3-0.

Speaking at the meeting, which was at the instance of the home FA, PFA chairman, Sunday Longbap, said the meeting was aimed at ensuring compliance with the directive.

He said this was necessary as compliance must be immediate, in view of this Sunday’s NPFL encounter between hosts Plateau United FC of Jos and visiting Nasarawa United.

NAN reports that the week 24 match will be played at the New Jos Stadium.

Represented by the association’s Secretary, Sunday Adi, Longbap said the meeting was called to enable stakeholders rub minds.

“It will also help us to fashion out ways to provide the required health facilities before Sunday’s match,’’ he said.

Speaking at the meeting, the Plateau State Red Cross Branch’s Training Officer, Nurudeen Magaji, said they have a vehicle fully-kitted with life-support equipment to take care of any emergency during matches

Magaji explained that, in view of the latest development, the Red Cross in the state would conduct refresher training for the Plateau United FC medical team.

“This is in order to deal with issues that have to do with first aid during matches.’’

He assured that his organisation, which has always been at the stadium during Plateau United’s home matches, would continue to ensure strict compliance with the directive in order to avoid issues.

On his part, the Secretary of Plateau United FC, Audu Yusuf, assured that every requirement as directed by the NFF and LMC would be made available.

“We must do this, so as to ensure a hitch-free match come Sunday,’’ Yusuf, who led a four-man delegation of his club to the meeting, said.

The League Management Company (LMC), organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), have imposed sanctions on Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia, one of their players and two backroom staff.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that the sanctions were in the wake of the disturbances which trailed the club’s Match Day 4 fixture in Lafia on Wednesday.

The club will now play all their home matches behind closed doors indefinitely with some financial penalties, while a player, Seun Komolafe, will serve a one-year ban.

Their Curator, Aliyu Hamzat, is to serve a life ban from all NPFL match venues and activities, while the Media Officer, Eche Amos, has also been fined and cautioned.

A statement by the LMC late on Friday in Abuja disclosed that all the sanctions were to come into effect immediately.

‘’Komolafe is to serve a one-year ban starting immediately for accosting and assaulting the match officials and for inciting the club supporters to commit violence against match officials in the match against Plateau United in breach of Rule C11 and C1.3.

‘’Hazmat has been banned for life from participating in all NPFL match venues and activities for leading the attack on the referee and other match officials in violation of Rule C11 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL.

‘’Amos was sanctioned for breach of Rule C1, for releasing or causing to be released a written press statement unfairly criticising match officials, a conduct deemed capable of bringing the League to disrepute.

‘’He is to pay a fine of 100,000 Naira, with a warning to desist from such conduct,’’ the statement indicated.

It showed further that Nasarawa United were charged for breaches of Rule B13.18, B13.52.1, B13.52.2 and C1 for which they were fined a cumulative fine of 4,250,000 Naira.

This includes a 1,250,000 Naira compensation for the assaulted match officials.

‘’Under Rule B1.18, the club was charged for the action of its supporters who threw objects, including stones towards match officials.

‘’This attracted a fine of one million Naira, while another fine of one million Naira was also imposed on the club for failure to ensure adequate crowd control and prevention of access by unauthorized persons to a restricted area which led to the attack on match officials as they headed to the dressing room.

‘’This is considered a breach of Rules B13.52.1 and B13.52.2.’’

Nasarawa United were also charged for breach of Rule C1, punishable by virtue of Rule B15.17, for conducts capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

This was through the action of some of their supporters, a player and an official of the club in assaulting match officials and causing disturbances.

This also attracted a fine of one million Naira and another 1,250,000 Naira to be paid as compensation to the match officials pursuant to Rule C12.

In addition, they will be responsible for the costs of all verified medical expenses of the assaulted match officials.

The statement added that Nasarawa United have 10 working days to pay the imposed fines, otherwise further disciplinary actions would be imposed.

The LMC further issued an order of closure of gates to fans for all Nasarawa United home matches for an indefinite period.

NPFL: Sanction unruly fans, Ladipo urges LMC

Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters’ Club, on Wednesday called on the League Management Company (LMC) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to sanction unruly fans.

Ladipo spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos against the backdrop of violent disruptions of match day 4 of the ongoing NPFL championship playoffs.

The match between Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers had recorded a 30- minute crowd invasion at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos.

Ladipo, who was infuriated by the incident, said that it was unacceptable and called on the LMC to carry out proper investigations into the issue and punish all offenders.

“The football house must wield a big stick against such violence and unruly behavior. Heavy sanctions should be levied on any group that comes to match venues for the wrong proposes.

“But if they continue to ignore this call, our football will certainly not get the right image it truly deserves at this time.

“Football clubs should also have a good control about their fans. Indeed what happened at the Agege Township Stadium is totally downgrading to our football,’’ Ladipo said.

“Sanctions should also be extended to supporters of those clubs that engage in unruly behaviour, so as to help such supporters to become better organised through the involvement of the clubs they support in their activities,’’ Ladipo said.

LMC sanctions Katsina United for breaching fair play principles

Abuja, April 3, 2019 The League Management Company (LMC) on Wednesday in Abuja announced that Katsina United Football Club are to pay a fine of N1 million and face possible relocation to another stadium.

The punishment is for severally not allowing visiting teams access to train on their registered home ground for matches as provided by the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules.

LMC announced the penalties after reviewing the complaints by three other clubs and a similar complaint by Rangers International FC of Enugu, who were the latest victims.

The Enugu side were prevented from gaining access to the Mohammed Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday for a rescheduled fixture.

Following a charge of misconduct in breach of Rule C1 of the Rules, the LMC exercised its summary jurisdiction to impose the fine on Katsina United.

Salihu Abubakar, LMC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), in a letter conveying the decision to the club, stated as follows:

“You are in breach of Rule C1 (Misconduct) of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL, in that you severally prevented or failed to permit the visiting teams from gaining access to your registered home ground for the scheduled pre-match training.

“Thereby, you failed, inter alia, to act in the best interest of the game and comply with the principles of fair play and sportsmanship.

“Consequently, the LMC intends to exercise its summary jurisdiction and to impose on you the following sanctions:

1. A fine of N1 million for the several acts of misconduct, and

2. A caution, to wit, (that) in the event of a repeated breach, further or more severe sanctions could be applied, including but not limited to relocation of the club to another ground in the overriding interest and other considerations”

Katsina United have under the rules 48 hours to respond in writing with an option to accept the decision of the LMC or enter for a hearing.

MFM FC of Lagos, Kwara United of Ilorin, Bendel Insurance of Benin and Lobi Stars of Makurdi variously complained of inability when in Katsina to access the stadium for pre-match training.